TWO lawmakers have submitted motions to Dewan Rakyat Speaker Azhar Azizan Harun to debate the seizing of two Petronas subsidiaries by the heirs of the Sulu sultanate yesterday.

Bukit Gelugor MP Ramkarpal Singh and Pulai MP Salahuddin Ayub are calling for an explanation from Minister in Prime Minister’s Department (Parliament and Law) Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar.

“The question is: how did the Sulu Sultanate implement the measures? Malaysia has already filed an appeal and for the order to be suspended.

“We also want to know what is the current status of the case?” Ramkarpal said in a statement today, adding that he also asked what measures the government has taken to prevent the heirs from seizing other Malaysian assets. 

“I hope the motion will be allowed because they relate to a definite matter of urgent public importance. 

“We hope the minister will immediately address the issue in the Dewan Rakyat.”

Yesterday, the Financial Times reported that bailiffs in Luxembourg had seized two Petronas subsidiaries in Azerbaijan as part of an ongoing dispute between heirs of the Sulu sultanate and the government of Malaysia. 

According to the report, bailiffs took over the Luxembourg-registered offices of Petronas Azerbaijan (Shah Deniz) and Petronas South Caucasus – with estimated net worth of nearly RM9 billion – as part of an ongoing dispute between the heirs and the government.

Late yesterday, Petronas confirmed that two of its subsidiaries in Azerbaijan had been served with a “saisie-arret” (garnishment procedure) on July 11 but added that it had divested assets and fully repatriated proceeds from the two units.

The state-owned energy company further said that it views the actions taken against it as baseless and claimed to be working vigorously to defend its position.

Meanwhile, in his motion Salahuddin said the issue should be discussed in Parliament, which begins on Monday. 

“I have sent an urgent motion to the speaker. The prime minister must give us an answer and it must be debated because the people deserve an explanation.”

Ramkarpal has also submitted a motion to seek an explanation from the Prime Minister’s Office or ministries on the cause of the Baling floods and what measures the government has taken since.

“What caused the floods? Was it the 21ha forest in Hulu Kepang and the Durian King farm?”

On Monday, several areas in Baling were inundated after a three-hour downpour. The deluge damaged dozens of houses, displaced more than 1,000 people and claimed three lives. – July 13, 2022.